Driving into Canada in your own American car and staying there for one month

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you very much for this post. I will just need to make sure my American car insurance company covers me there in Canada also. I will need to start getting my car prepped also - make sure I get all the Recalls taken care of.

For car insurance, you'll want to request a Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards. It's a small yellow card that will serve as your proof of insurance in Canada.

Keep in mind that your husband, as a Canadian resident (as in person who resides in Canada not as in a 'PR') will not be able to legally drive your (foreign-plated) car until after you import it into Canada (after exporting it from the US, etc). You may drive on your US license for 3 months in Ontario. So you may want to get an International Driver's Permit (go to any AAA, they'll take your photo there as well) to extend the time you may drive on your US License. See https://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/drive-ontario-visitors. While you could get an Ontario Driver's Licence, you'd need to speak with DriveTest folks to see whether you can do so and keep your US License (they usually keep it when you exchange your US license for an ON licence and you need yours to keep your US vehicle registration) or whether you'd need to start from scratch (make sure they would honor the experience on your US licence if you do so so you can take the various tests to get to a full G licence relatively quickly).

If you are going to be crossing often consider applying for a NEXUS card, which may make crossings when you go to doctor's appointments, etc. a bit faster.

Finally, keep in mind that if it becomes necessary (e.g., you don't end up going to the Doctor's or Dentist in the US) and your application takes some time to process (hopefully not!), you can always apply to extend your stay in Canada.

 

[OntarioBound]

For car insurance, you'll want to request a Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards. It's a small yellow card that will serve as your proof of insurance in Canada.

Keep in mind that your husband, as a Canadian resident (as in person who resides in Canada not as in a 'PR') will not be able to legally drive your (foreign-plated) car until after you import it into Canada (after exporting it from the US, etc). You may drive on your US license for 3 months in Ontario. So you may want to get an International Driver's Permit (go to any AAA, they'll take your photo there as well) to extend the time you may drive on your US License. See https://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/drive-ontario-visitors. While you could get an Ontario Driver's Licence, you'd need to speak with DriveTest folks to see whether you can do so and keep your US License (they usually keep it when you exchange your US license for an ON licence and you need yours to keep your US vehicle registration) or whether you'd need to start from scratch (make sure they would honor the experience on your US licence if you do so so you can take the various tests to get to a full G licence relatively quickly).

If you are going to be crossing often consider applying for a NEXUS card, which may make crossings when you go to doctor's appointments, etc. a bit faster.

Finally, keep in mind that if it becomes necessary (e.g., you don't end up going to the Doctor's or Dentist in the US) and your application takes some time to process (hopefully not!), you can always apply to extend your stay in Canada.

Thank you very much for your response. I am thinking of going back and forth about once a month (to check mail at the NY address as well as Dr's appointment or whatever) - If I do that, I don't really need to get the Ontario insurance card or get an international license do I? As long as my car is still covered by my American car insurance company? I have been in Canada before in a car, and I never got an international license or anything.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you very much for your response. I am thinking of going back and forth about once a month (to check mail at the NY address as well as Dr's appointment or whatever) - If I do that, I don't really need to get the Ontario insurance card or get an international license do I?

no, definitely not. i went back and forth between canada and the us, many times and never encounter issues about my license or registration. you are a visitor, not a resident of ontario. also, you can't insure the car in ontario until it's imported and you have an ontario license(i went through this process last month). it's perfectly fine to drive your car in ontario with us plates as a visitor. there's no need for an international license either. you are fine. don't worry. as you've already know, it's just important to check with your us insurance company about their rules. some have printable insurance cards that are in french/english, though it's not necessary to get them.

i totaled my car in ontario while i was driving back to the states, and the cop had no issue with the fact i had us plates and license. my insurance company was able to communicate with a "sister" company in ontario to salvage my car. there was also no issue with the payout.

 

[OntarioBound]

no, definitely not. i went back and forth between canada and the us, many times and never encounter issues about my license or registration. you are a visitor, not a resident of ontario. also, you can't insure the car in ontario until it's imported and you have an ontario license(i went through this process last month). it's perfectly fine to drive your car in ontario with us plates as a visitor. there's no need for an international license either. you are fine. don't worry. as you've already know, it's just important to check with your us insurance company about their rules. some have printable insurance cards that are in french/english, though it's not necessary to get them.

i totaled my car in ontario while i was driving back to the states, and the cop had no issue with the fact i had us plates and license. my insurance company was able to communicate with a "sister" company in ontario to salvage my car. there was also no issue with the payout.

Thank you! That's what I thought, but thank you very much for confirming

 

[Panamai]

For car insurance, you'll want to request a Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards. It's a small yellow card that will serve as your proof of insurance in Canada.

Keep in mind that your husband, as a Canadian resident (as in person who resides in Canada not as in a 'PR') will not be able to legally drive your (foreign-plated) car until after you import it into Canada (after exporting it from the US, etc). You may drive on your US license for 3 months in Ontario. So you may want to get an International Driver's Permit (go to any AAA, they'll take your photo there as well) to extend the time you may drive on your US License. See https://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/drive-ontario-visitors. While you could get an Ontario Driver's Licence, you'd need to speak with DriveTest folks to see whether you can do so and keep your US License (they usually keep it when you exchange your US license for an ON licence and you need yours to keep your US vehicle registration) or whether you'd need to start from scratch (make sure they would honor the experience on your US licence if you do so so you can take the various tests to get to a full G licence relatively quickly).

If you are going to be crossing often consider applying for a NEXUS card, which may make crossings when you go to doctor's appointments, etc. a bit faster.

Finally, keep in mind that if it becomes necessary (e.g., you don't end up going to the Doctor's or Dentist in the US) and your application takes some time to process (hopefully not!), you can always apply to extend your stay in Canada.

Wait, so my husband (Canadian citizen) is not allowed to drive my not yet imported US plated car in Canada? Oops, he drove it across the border when I brought it over. I didn't know about this.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Wait, so my husband (Canadian citizen) is not allowed to drive my not yet imported US plated car in Canada? Oops, he drove it across the border when I brought it over. I didn't know about this.

He cannot drive it other than in an emergency or to transport personal goods from the border to the end point in the most direct path (ie., no point to point travel within Canada is allowed). If it was to transport personal goods, the car needs to exit Canada within 30 days.

To elaborate, a Canadian resident should NOT drive a foreign-plated car (unless they rented a car from a commercial agency in the US, have permission from the rental agency since the rental agency is committed to having the car in Canada max 30 days). So, if your husband is a resident of Canada and not just visiting Canada you shouldn't drive his car unless it's an emergency or you guys are taking goods in to Canada in your car in the most direct path from the border to your house. Note that CBSA residency can differ from CIC residency. In other words, your husband's Canadian citizenship doesn't matter ... if you both live in the US, he is a resident of the US and can drive a foreign plated car in Canada; if he lives in Canada (i.e., resides in Canada), he may not drive your car until it is imported other than to complete importing process.

As reference, the law says:

Tourists can temporarily import cars, per D19-12-1

"RIV Program Exemptions
49. Vehicles are exempt from complying with the CMVSS
at the point of entry into Canada if they are imported under
one of the following conditions:
(a) the vehicles are 15 years old or older, or are buses
manufactured before January 1, 1971; the importer
must be able to demonstrate the age of the vehicle;
(b) the vehicles are entering temporarily with:
(1) visitors, for a period not exceeding 12 months;
temporary residents such as students studying at an
institution of learning, for the duration of their
studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work
permits/authorizations for employment for a period
not exceeding 36 months;"

D2-4-1's covers residents of Canada's use of non-Canadian plated cars:

"GUIDELINES AND
GENERAL INFORMATION

Residents of Canada
1. Residents of Canada may operate conveyances on
which duties have not been paid in Canada only in
accordance with the terms and conditions of tariff item
No. 9802.00.00 and the regulations made pursuant thereto.
Purpose of Importation
2. Conveyances imported temporarily under these
Regulations are admissible for personal transportation only
from the point of arrival to a specified destination in Canada
and return within 30 days, when the purpose of importation
is to transport personally owned goods into or out of
Canada.
3. Similarly, customs inspectors may permit importation
in instances where a resident is required, due to unforeseen
circumstances or emergency reasons, to utilize a
conveyance on which duties have not been paid for personal
transportation to reach a specified destination in Canada and
return.
4. Under no circumstances are conveyances admissible
under these Regulations for touring purposes or for other
leisure activities in Canada, nor is any local use permitted
(e.g., point to point movement in Canada).
5. Customs inspectors will grant free importation of a
conveyance under these Regulations only when satisfied
that the applicable conditions have been met."

...unless it's a rental and certain conditions are met

"

Exception — temporary importation

(1.1) Sections 5 and 6 do not apply to a resident of Canada who imports a vehicle that is licensed in the United States if the vehicle is rented in the United States from a vehicle rental business and is being imported into Canada for non-commercial purposes.

Importer to remove vehicle from Canada

(1.2) A resident of Canada who imports a vehicle under subsection (1.1) shall remove the vehicle from Canada within a period of 30 days, or any other prescribed period, beginning on the day on which the vehicle is imported.

Rental business to remove vehicle from Canada

(1.3) If, within the period referred to in subsection (1.2), the resident of Canada delivers the vehicle to a vehicle rental business in Canada with the consent of the business, then the vehicle rental business shall remove the vehicle from Canada before the end of that period."
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/M-10.01/page-3.html

and

" Canadian residents may, as of June 1, 2012, bring U.S. rental vehicles into Canada for non-commercial use for 30 days or less. This will not affect the safety of Canadian road users, because Canadian and American vehicle standards are similar, and the vehicles will be in Canada for short periods of time.

While these changes to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) will allow one-way and two way trips, residents of Canada may only deliver a vehicle to a vehicle rental business for a one-way trip, with the consent of the business. 

Visitors to Canada may continue to bring rental vehicles from the United States into Canada. "
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-rental-usa-1302.htm

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you very much for your response. I am thinking of going back and forth about once a month (to check mail at the NY address as well as Dr's appointment or whatever) - If I do that, I don't really need to get the Ontario insurance card

The Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards is actually NOT an Ontario insurance card. It is for non-residents (i.e., what you will be) with an insurance carrier outside of Canada to prove they have Canadian insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements in each province and that your insurance company has the necessary agreements in place to "protect its insureds who drive their private passenger vehicles in Canada". Think of it as the equivalent of your state's insurance card that is valid in Canada. If your insurance has Canadian coverage, your insurance company should be able to mail this to you. Additional details are available at http://www.ccir-ccrra.org/en/pau/

or get an international license do I?

You'd have to look into how they are currently counting the 3 months visit allowed without an International Driver's Permit. When I looked into the details a few years ago, my understanding was that time spent visiting Ontario was cumulative in a year.

In case you've never gotten one, the IDP is essentially a booklet that vouches for the validity of your DL and translates your DL into a bunch of languages. So, while you are still in the US you can get one in under 5 mins at AAA (even if you aren't a member) or via mail for $15 (plus the cost of a couple passport photos if you don't have any already). If you want additional info, take a look at http://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html.

As long as my car is still covered by my American car insurance company?

The Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards will serve as proof of this coverage from your American car insurance company.

I have been in Canada before in a car, and I never got an international license or anything.

Ultimately, you may never need these items and I frankly hope you don't (e.g., accidents stink!) but given that you're planning to spend an extended period of time in Canada now the rules that apply may be a bit different. Only you know the details of your situation, including your risk tolerance (is not spending $15 and saving the time it would take to call your insurer/agent worth not ensuring coverage if you need it? How likely is it you'll be in Ontario more than 3 months before landing?)

 

[OntarioBound]

The Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards is actually NOT an Ontario insurance card. It is for non-residents (i.e., what you will be) with an insurance carrier outside of Canada to prove they have Canadian insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements in each province and that your insurance company has the necessary agreements in place to "protect its insureds who drive their private passenger vehicles in Canada". Think of it as the equivalent of your state's insurance card that is valid in Canada. If your insurance has Canadian coverage, your insurance company should be able to mail this to you. Additional details are available at http://www.ccir-ccrra.org/en/pau/

You'd have to look into how they are currently counting the 3 months visit allowed without an International Driver's Permit. When I looked into the details a few years ago, my understanding was that time spent visiting Ontario was cumulative in a year.

In case you've never gotten one, the IDP is essentially a booklet that vouches for the validity of your DL and translates your DL into a bunch of languages. So, while you are still in the US you can get one in under 5 mins at AAA (even if you aren't a member) or via mail for $15 (plus the cost of a couple passport photos if you don't have any already). If you want additional info, take a look at http://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html.

The Canadian Non‐Resident Inter‐Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards will serve as proof of this coverage from your American car insurance company.


Ultimately, you may never need these items and I frankly hope you don't (e.g., accidents stink!) but given that you're planning to spend an extended period of time in Canada now the rules that apply may be a bit different. Only you know the details of your situation, including your risk tolerance (is not spending $15 and saving the time it would take to call your insurer/agent worth not ensuring coverage if you need it? How likely is it you'll be in Ontario more than 3 months before landing?)

Thank you very much for your comprehensive replies to all my questions. I called my auto insurance company today, and they said they could issue me an auto insurance card similar to the one I get for US but the card she is going to send me will have a start date and end date with the duration less than 6 months. She is going to send me this card shortly with the start date of April 20th. She told me that I will be fully covered in Canada for the duration. I can also go to AAA and get an international license before I drive into Canada, although, I assume, I don't have to show that unless I need to. This isn't related, but I have already asked for Letter of Experience from an old auto insurance company (2002-2008) which showed I made no claims during that period, and I will get the same letter from my current auto insurance company before I get an auto insurance in Canada so I can try to negotiate a good rate.

I hope I won't forget... I need to start a checklist note book with all the things I need to prep for (like going to DMV and get a letter from them too) and what I need to do when I get to Canada...

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you very much for your comprehensive replies to all my questions. I called my auto insurance company today, and they said they could issue me an auto insurance card similar to the one I get for US but the card she is going to send me will have a start date and end date with the duration less than 6 months. She is going to send me this card shortly with the start date of April 20th. She told me that I will be fully covered in Canada for the duration. I can also go to AAA and get an international license before I drive into Canada, although, I assume, I don't have to show that unless I need to. This isn't related, but I have already asked for Letter of Experience from an old auto insurance company (2002-2008) which showed I made no claims during that period, and I will get the same letter from my current auto insurance company before I get an auto insurance in Canada so I can try to negotiate a good rate.

I hope I won't forget... I need to start a checklist note book with all the things I need to prep for (like going to DMV and get a letter from them too) and what I need to do when I get to Canada...

Happy to help. There are indeed many moving pieces to keep track of, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Good to hear that it was simple to get the card from your insurer. You shouldn't need to show that nor the IDP unless someone asks for your DL (e.g., if you are pulled over; so hopefully never!!!).

The letter of experience is a good idea. US experience is often/usually accepted. If your husband has an existing policy, that helps too. While we're on the subject of importing the car to Canada, for the recall letters you'll need for the RIV to clear your car for import, depending on your manufacturer you may be able to get the letter online (e.g., Toyota). Otherwise, it may be worth talking with your current dealer before you move (especially if they know you well) as they may be able to print out the recall history for you. While the RIV will ultimately need to get it within 30 (IIRC) of you importing the car, you can set it up right now (and perhaps even get a version to date before moving).

 

[OntarioBound]

Happy to help. There are indeed many moving pieces to keep track of, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Good to hear that it was simple to get the card from your insurer. You shouldn't need to show that nor the IDP unless someone asks for your DL (e.g., if you are pulled over; so hopefully never!!!).

The letter of experience is a good idea. US experience is often/usually accepted. If your husband has an existing policy, that helps too. While we're on the subject of importing the car to Canada, for the recall letters you'll need for the RIV to clear your car for import, depending on your manufacturer you may be able to get the letter online (e.g., Toyota). Otherwise, it may be worth talking with your current dealer before you move (especially if they know you well) as they may be able to print out the recall history for you. While the RIV will ultimately need to get it within 30 (IIRC) of you importing the car, you can set it up right now (and perhaps even get a version to date before moving).

Thank you very much for another great piece of advice. I actually made an appointment to get the oil change done at the dealer I have been taking my car to ever since I purchased it in 2003 (I only have 58,000 miles on it although I had it for over 10 years and that's why I want to import it.). I happened to ask if they had any recalls on it that they needed to work on and they said no, but I will make sure and get the recall history printed out for me.

 

[rhcohen2014]

While the RIV will ultimately need to get it within 30 (IIRC) of you importing the car, you can set it up right now (and perhaps even get a version to date before moving).

the recall letter/printout must be dated within 6 months of the import in order to submit it to RIV.

 

[OhCanadiana]

the recall letter/printout must be dated within 6 months of the import in order to submit it to RIV.

That would make things simpler! Unfortunately, it looks like OntarioBound should plan to get the recall clearance documents she will submit closer to when she actually imports her car:

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) will not release the inspection form for your vehicle until confirmation that there are no outstanding recalls, has been received.

To facilitate the timely release of your vehicle's RIV inspection form and avoid delays or additional expenses, we recommend that you get your recall clearance documents early in the import process.[b] Documents remain valid for 30 days prior to import [/b]and you can submit your recall information to RIV before you import the vehicle.

Site: http://www.riv.ca/RecallClearance.aspx

(bolding mine)